Personal product compositions comprising structured benefit agent premix or delivery vehicle and providing enhanced effect of hydrophobic material separate from the structured benefit agent

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a structured premix or “delivery vehicle” composition designed as a carrier to enhance the benefit (e.g., via enhanced deposition or other mechanism) of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent(s) (for example, perfumes, skin lightening agents, etc.), from personal product compositions (e.g., liquid and bar cleansers, creams, emulsions, hair composition, deodorant etc.). When the structured benefit agent composition is separately prepared and combined with the personal product composition (preferably while structured, premix composition is still in molten or liquid state), the personal product composition with structured benefit agent carrier provides enhanced deposition of the structured benefit agent and enhanced effect of the separate hydrophobic benefit agent(s) in or on the carrier or in the presence of structured benefit agent carrier.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a structured premix or “delivery vehicle” composition (structured benefit agent) designed to enhance the effect of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent (e.g., perfume, skin lightener) delivered from the same personal product compositions (e.g., liquid soap, creams, emulsions, bars, non-wovens, etc.).

Specifically, the separate hydrophobic benefit agent (e.g., perfume molecule or molecules) may be entrapped within a network formed by the structured benefit agent (e.g., delivered by the structured benefit agent) or the presence of the structured benefit agent in the final composition may simply enhance the effect of the separate hydrophobic benefit agent. More specifically, when the structured benefit agent is separately prepared and combined with the personal product composition, the personal product composition containing the structured benefit agent provides an enhanced effect (more perfume impact, more whitening) of the separate hydrophobic materials compared to when a structured benefit agent is not in the final formulation.

The separate hydrophobic benefit agent (SHBA) may be delivered as hydrophobic benefit agent carried by or trapped within a network formed by the structured benefit agent, or the structured benefit agent may enhance the effect of the SHBA (e.g., enhanced perfume impact or enhanced whitening), even if the separate hydrophobic benefit agents are added separately from the premix. This is discussed in greater detail in co-pending applications filed on the same date as the subject application.

BACKGROUND

Hydrophobic benefit agents, especially perfumes, but also skin lightening, agents, sunscreens, anti-aging compounds etc. can provide benefits to the skin or to hair. At present, however, it is extremely difficult to achieve high levels of deposition and/or to enhance the effect of these agents when delivered from personal product compositions, including, but not limited to personal wash liquid cleansers and personal product bars.

While this and co-pending applications are described with personal product language, to the extent the structured benefit agents can be used in a variety of compositions where deposition by benefit agents is desirable (e.g., hair, deodorant), the claims are intended to be read expansively and limited only by structuring component.

Applicants have now found that the use of structured benefit agents (the structured benefit agent compositions are separate from the “separate” hydrophobic benefit agents found in the same final products) helps to enhance the effect of separate hydrophobic benefit agents. The structured benefit agent may carry or entrap the separate hydrophobic benefit agents (e.g., perfumes, sunscreens), or the SHBA may have been added separately rather than in a premix used to form the structured benefit agent. In the presence of the structured benefit agent, the separate hydrophobes display enhanced benefits compared to the effect of the same hydrophobic benefit agents which are delivered in formulations where structured benefit agent is not used. According to the invention, preferably the benefit agent which is being structured and the structuring material (e.g., crystalline wax, hydrogenated oil or fat) are separate components.

By specifically selecting particular crystalline structurant or structurants (i.e., so that the crystals have specifically defined aspect ratios), and by separately preparing the structured benefit agent as a premix in the manner described (i.e., separate preparation and delivery in a molten, semi-molten or solid state), use of the structurant vehicle provides enhanced attributes (e.g., enhanced perfume impact) of the separate hydrophobe.

Specifically, the invention relates to use of benefit agent(s) structured by crystalline structurants selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic crystalline structuring materials (e.g., waxes), wherein, when the structured benefit vehicle is separately prepared before combining with the personal product composition, it provides enhanced properties (e.g., total perfume delivered or deposited) to a separate hydrophobic agent in the composition (which SHBA is either carried on/with the structured benefit agent, or is added separately from a premix used to form the structured benefit agent but is still found in the final composition). The enhanced properties of the SHBA may be the result of enhanced deposition (as disclosed in copending applications) of the “structured” benefit agent (different than separate hydrophobic benefit agent) or some other mechanism but this is not critical to the invention.

Among the structurants which may be used are natural or synthetic crystalline waxes. Among natural waxes are included petroleum derived waxes such as paraffins and microcrystalline waxes; as well as animal and plant (vegetable) waxes. Among the synthetic crystalline waxes which may be used are crystalline polymers such as polyethylene. Structurants may further include natural or synthetic hydrogenated oils or fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, salts of fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids and fatty acid esters.

Some prior art references purport to use rheological parameters to select oils or oil blends to be used for improving deposition or providing favorable sensory feel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,511 to Kacher et al., for example, describes the use of solubility parameters and four rheological parameters to select benefit agents (i.e., oil or oil blends) that can be used in moisturizing cleansing formulations to improve deposition and provide favorable sensory feels. Petrolatum and petrolatum-containing mixtures are said to be favorable selections. The reference fails to teach or suggest the building of a deformable network of crystals within the benefit agent, and which crystals must have a specific aspect ratio. The Kacher reference fails to teach or suggest that the structured benefit agent be combined with other components in the compositions in a molten, semi-molten or solid state.

Also, it does not describe separate benefit agent and structurant as structurant, as is preferred by the subject invention (i.e., in the subject invention, if petrolatum is used, it is preferably used as a structurant to structure other benefit agents rather than itself comprise the structured benefit agent). In short, the benefit agents (e.g., oils) of Kacher clearly do not appear to be internally structured delivery vehicles like those used in the compositions of the invention which are separately prepared and wherein the structurant has defined aspect ratio.

A number of prior art references disclose generally the concept of an oil additive which can thicken or stabilize oils. They do not, however teach or disclose that specific crystalline structurant (i.e., having a defined aspect ratio), when prepared in combination with a benefit agent as a premix/delivery vehicle will enhance properties and/or sensory benefits of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent which is carried on or entrapped in the structured benefit agent, or which SHBA is found in the final formulation with the structured benefit agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,540 to Tsaur et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,189 to Grieveson, for example, disclose use of both crystalline or micro-crystalline waxes and hydrophobic polymers to thicken low viscosity oil so as to control the oil droplet size (i.e., it must attain a certain minimum size to deposit) as well as to maintain high lather. As noted above, however, there is no discussion of the criticality of crystalline structure (aspect ratio) or that a thickened benefit agent must be separately prepared and added in a molten, semi-molten or solid state for enhancing properties of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent. Further, as noted, there is no recognition that it is critical the thickener must be a crystalline structuring material, hydrogenated oil, fat, etc. (as defined in the subject invention)

In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/859,862 to Aronson et al. (entitled “Wet-Skin Treatment Composition”), filed May 17, 2001 and 09/859,849 to Aronson et al. (entitled “Method of Enhanced Moisture or Reduced Drying Using Wet-Skin Treatment Compositions”), there is disclosed benefit agents which provide a draggy feel. There is no teaching or disclosure, however, of using a benefit agent structured with crystalline materials of specific aspect ratio or of how to produce such.

No prior art of which applicants are aware demonstrates the use of structurants of the invention (e.g., wax, hydrogenated fats), having specific aspect ratio of crystals and prepared as a premix, to enhance properties (e.g., enhances perfume impact or skin lightening effect) of separate hydrophobic benefit agents (through the enhanced deposition of the structured benefit agent or other mechanism).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to personal product compositions (including liquid soap, creams, emulsions, non-wovens and also including hair, deo or any other compositions where enhanced benefit agent delivery is desirable), comprising structured benefit agent carrier system for delivering separate hydrophobic benefit agent(s) and wherein said separately delivered hydrophobic benefit agent comprises, e.g., perfume, skin lightening agents, chemosensory materials, etc. The separate hydrophobe may be entrapped in the structured benefit agent or otherwise in the premix, or may be added separately from the premix, yet still be in the final formulation with the structured benefit agent.

Liquid compositions of the invention comprise:

-   -   (1) 0 to 99%, preferably 1 to 75%, more preferably 3 to 70%         surfactant; and     -   (2) 0.1 to 90% by wt. of a benefit agent delivery vehicle         wherein:         -   (a) 0.1 to 99%, preferably 0.5 to 99.5, more preferably 1 to             99% by wt., (here and throughout the spec all ranges are             intended to cover all ranges subsumed therein as well) of             the structured delivery vehicle comprises one or more             benefit agent and mixtures; and         -   (b) 99.9 to 0.01%, preferably 99.5 to 0.05% by wt. of the             vehicle comprises crystalline structurant or structurants             selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic             materials (e.g., waxes), natural or synthetic hydrogenated             oils or fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, salts of fatty             acids, hydroxy fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and mixtures             thereof,     -   (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent,         -   wherein crystals of the crystalline structurant have an             aspect or axial ratio such that length A to width B of the             crystals has a ratio A/B>1, The length is to be understood             as the longer of the two dimensions when considering both             length and width.

Bar compositions of the invention comprises:

-   -   (1) 1 to 80%, preferably 3 to 65% by wt. surfactant; and     -   (2) 0.1 to 90% by wt. of a benefit agent delivery vehicle         (structured benefit agent) wherein:         -   (a) 0.1 to 99%, preferably 0.5 to 99.5, more preferably 1 to             99% by wt. of the structured delivery vehicle comprising one             or more benefit agents or mixtures thereof; and         -   (b) 99.9 to 0.1%, preferably 99.5 to 0.5% by wt. of the             structured delivery vehicle comprises a crystalline             structurant or structurants selected from the group             consisting of natural and synthetic materials (e.g., waxes),             natural or synthetic hydrogenated oils or fats, fatty acids,             fatty alcohols, salts of fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids,             fatty acid esters and mixtures thereof;     -   (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent,         -   wherein crystals of the crystalline structurant (e.g. wax)             have an aspect or axial ratio such that length A to width B             of the crystals has a ratio A/B>1, The length is to be             understood as the longer of the two dimensions when             considering both length and width.

When said premix (structured benefit agent) is separately prepared and separately combined with a final carrying composition (i.e., surfactant containing or non-surfactant containing personal product composition), in which the structured benefit agent will be used, said final composition will not only provide enhanced deposition of the benefit agent in the structured benefit agent composition, but the final composition will also provide an enhanced effect of the SHBA (e.g., of perfume or skin lightener) which is entrapped in the structured benefit agent or elsewhere in the premix, or which SHBA is found separately in the formulation since it was added separately from the premix. The structured benefit agent premix should preferably pour sufficiently so that it can be added to the carrying composition which is why, generally, it will be in molten or semi-molten state. However, it can also be added in a solid state. The deposition of the benefit agent in the structured benefit agent is not dependent on large droplet size of the structured benefit agent (i.e., can be small or large drops).

The structured benefit agent or delivery vehicle of this invention may be used in bar or non-bar (preferably liquid), personal product compositions (including hair and deodorant, for example). The composition will typically comprise (a) 0 to 99%, preferably 1 to 75% of a surfactant system comprising a surfactant or surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, amphoteric/zwitterionic, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof and (b) 0.1 to 90%, preferably 0.5 to 80%, even more preferably 1-40% by weight of the structured benefit agent delivery vehicle as defined above.

In one embodiment of the invention, the invention comprises a process for forming non-bar, preferably liquid, personal product composition comprising the structured benefit agent delivery vehicle noted above which process comprises:

-   -   (1) mixing benefit agent carrier (which may or may not carry the         SHBA) and crystalline structurant, preferably though not         necessarily at processing conditions (e.g., temperature         sufficiently high) so that a premix of the benefit agent(s) and         structurant will be flowable and pourable (e.g., having         viscosity of less than 250 Pa-s, more preferably less than 200         Pa-s), most preferably less than 100 Pa-s;     -   (2) combining said separately prepared premix and the carrying         composition (which contains the separate hydrophobe if it is not         contained in the premix), preferably with stirring;     -   (3) if necessary, because the mixture had been heated, cooling         the resulting mixture to room temperature.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a process for forming a personal cleansing bar product composition comprising the delivery vehicle noted above which process comprises:

-   -   (1) mixing hydrophobic benefit agent or agents and crystalline         structurant at a temperature above the melting point of the         structurant and then either cooling to ambient temperature so         that it can be combined later with the bar carrying composition,         or optionally cooling to the temperature at which the carrying         composition is mixed before combining with the carrying         composition;     -   (2) combining said separately prepared premix and the carrying         composition (which contains the separate hydrophobe if not         contained in the premix), preferably with stirring or mixing at         elevated temperature;     -   and then either     -   (3) pouring the resulting mixture into molds and cooling         (actively or passively) to room temperature;     -   or     -   (4) cooling the resulting mixture to flakes (e.g., by passing         the resulting mixture over a chill roll), taking the flakes         (e.g., from the chill roll) and extruding the material into a         billet which is then formed or stamped.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for providing improved skin and sensory benefits (i.e., perfume, skin lightening, cooling/heating, etc.) comprising applying a personal product cleanser comprising:

-   -   (a) 0 to 99%, preferably 1 to 75% by wt. surfactant; and     -   (b) 0.1 to 90% of benefit agent vehicle comprising:         -   (i) 0.1 to 99.9% by wt. of vehicle comprising carrier with             one or more benefit agents or mixtures; and         -   (ii) 99.9 to 0.1% by wt. of vehicle comprising polymeric             structurant as noted above;             -   (c) separate hydrophobic benefit agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a yield stress plot of a structured benefit agent composition comprising sunflower seed oil structured with a wax (Ultraflex amber or Victory amber) of the invention. Ultraflex amber wax and Victory amber wax were each mixed with sunflower seed oil at a ratio of wax/oil of 1:4. The graph shows how the structured benefit agent yields under high stress, a property specific to the structured benefit agents of the invention. At low stresses the viscosity of the structured benefit agent composition, (measured in Pascal seconds, or Pa-s) is essentially constant. As the applied stress is increased and reaches the yield stress value, the viscosity drops sharply and the material flows more readily.

FIG. 2 is a plot showing shear thinning behavior of structured benefit agents of the invention versus an unstructured benefit agent. Ultraflex amber wax and Victory amber wax were each mixed with sunflower seed oil at a ratio of wax/oil of 1:4. For comparison, the viscosity behavior with shear of unstructured sunflower seed oil is also shown. Plotted is viscosity versus shear rate. At low shear rates the viscosity of structured benefit agents, sunflower seed oil structured with wax (Ultraflex amber wax or Victory amber wax) is very high. As the applied shear rate is increased the viscosity of the structured benefit agents decreases and continues to decrease at the higher shear rates. At sufficiently high shear rates the viscosity of structured benefit agents approaches that of the pure unstructured benefit agent component.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are schematics of typical crystal structurants of the invention having length “A” and width “B”. As noted, the aspect or axial ratio of A/B must be greater than 1. The length is to be understood as the longer of the two dimensions when considering length and width.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of structurant crystals (which can be “plate-like”) forming a three-dimensional network within the structured benefit agent (e.g., oil)).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal product compositions comprising a structured benefit agent delivery vehicle composition which, because of the structure of the crystal used to prepare it (for example, aspect ratio of the crystalline structurants), and, because of its manner of preparation (separately prepared), forms a structured benefit agent component which, when optionally cooled, has particular properties (e.g., yield stress, shear thinning). The structured benefit agent not only permits the benefit agent which is structured to deposit more efficiently from the composition onto skin or other substrate, but also permits enhanced properties of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent carried on or in the structured benefit agent, or separately added, outside the premix but in the presence of the structured benefit agent in the final composition.

Yield stress parameters of the structured benefit agent can be 1-5000 Pa or higher and all ranges subsumed therein (see FIG. 1) and shear thinning parameters can range from 2000 Pa-s (or higher) at low shear rates (0.1/sec) (i.e., viscosity of 1000 to 10,000 Pa-s as seen on the Y axis of FIG. 2) to 0.1 Pa-s (or lower) at high shear rates (100/sec) (again, see FIG. 2). Both yield stress and shear-thinning parameters/ranges are dependent on the level of benefit agent structurant added to benefit agent.

When specific crystalline materials are used to structure the benefit agent, and when the process of the invention is used, a final composition containing the structured benefit agent vehicle will deliver the structured benefit agent(s) to the skin or substrate at a level at least about 5% greater than if structured benefit agent is not used. This is described in applicants' copending applications. The deposition is not dependent on large droplet size of the structured benefit agent droplets in the carrying composition (e.g., liquid soaps). Because of this enhanced deposition of the structured benefit agent, there is an improvement in the benefit of the SHBA of at least 5% (e.g., if it is perfume, at least 5% greater perfume impact).

The “structured” benefit agent of the subject invention can be envisioned as an emollient droplet which has certain physical properties defined at least in part by the ability of the structured benefit agent to deliver the benefit agent more efficiently from the final composition. This structured benefit agent also enhances properties of SHBA (perfume or skin lightener, etc.) carried by (or entrapped in) or in the presence of the structured benefit agent in the final formulation.

More specifically, when structurants structure the benefit agent, the crystals in the benefit agent phase are believed to create a solid network which is apparently interconnected like a “house of cards” for plate-like crystals or perhaps more like a scaffold structure when the crystalline structurant has rod/needle morphology. The crystals form a three-dimensional supporting network that, without wishing to be bound by theory, is believed to make the structured benefit agents, more than just thickened benefit agents (see FIG. 4). The crystalline structure changes the normally fluid benefit agent (e.g., vegetable or other oils) into solid-like materials that have good flow and spreading properties for benefit agent deposition. Through selection of structurant (e.g., wax) and calculation of structurant content, the structured benefit agent can be tailored to meet desired rheological parameters. An important part of the invention is that the crystal forming this 3-D network must have an aspect or axial ratio of length and width (A and B, respectively) such that A/B>1. This aspect ratio of the crystals is believed to enhance deposition of the structured benefit agent (see FIG. 3). The length is to be understood as the longer of the two dimensions when considering both length and width.

The structured benefit agents of the invention have been found to enhance deposition of the benefit agent structured relative to if the benefit agent were not structured. Moreover they enhance properties of separate hydrophobic benefit agents carried by or with; or found in the presence of the structured benefit agent.

The structured benefit agent can be seen as a premix since it is a critical aspect of the invention that the benefit agent being structured and the crystalline structurant forming the “structure” be combined before adding to the carrying composition in which the structured benefit agent will be used. In this sense, the premix or structured benefit agent is acting as a vehicle for delivery of the benefit agent. Further, the structured benefit agent also enhances properties of separate hydrophobic benefit agents either by carrying or entrapping these benefit agents in a network formed by the structured benefit agent and also when another benefit agent is separately added to the premix.

The structured benefit agent vehicle specifically comprises:

-   -   (a) 0.1 to 99.5%, preferably 0.5 to 99.5% by wt. (including all         ranges subsumed therein) of the vehicle comprising benefit         agent; and     -   (b) 99.9 to 0.1, preferably 95.5 to 0.5% by wt. (including all         ranges subsumed therein) comprising crystalline structurant         selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic         crystalline waxes, natural or synthetic hydrogenated oils or         fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, salts of fatty acids, hydroxy         fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof.

The structured benefit agent may also optionally comprise (carry on or in) SHBA although these may be added separately outside the premix forming the structured benefit agent and may be present only in the final formulation with the structured benefit agent.

One other important consideration when using structured benefit agent carriers as delivery vehicles for the separate hydrophobic skin benefit agents is that, for the separate benefit agent to be effective in many cases, it must either penetrate into the skin or, as in the case of perfumes, be released from the benefit agent carrier system into the vapor phase for the effects of the, for example, perfume benefit agents to be manifest. In some cases the benefit agent carrier, if designed properly, can be a penetration aide and help the separate benefit agent enter the skin.

Specifically for perfumes, it is well known that the matrix in which the perfume is residing on the skin is very important to human perception of the perfume. The evaporation constant of perfume is a function of the inherent volatility of the perfume and the solvent quality of the diluent in which the perfume is dissolved. For a solvent in which perfume is very soluble (i.e., oils, surfactants, etc.), the evaporation constant of perfume is low due to large perfume solvent interactions, which in turn can lead to a low perfume head space. Therefore, to optimize the release of perfume from the structured benefit agent (e.g., oil) system, the partitioning of the perfume between the oil phase and the vapor phase needs to be considered. One very simple way to improve the release of perfume from a structured benefit agent carrier is to increase the concentration of the perfume in the carrier benefit agent. For example, when dosed at constant perfume amount per area of skin, a 5% solution of perfume in oil (e.g., sunflower seed oil is carrier benefit agent carrying perfume as separate benefit agent) on the skin will have less fragrance impact than a 20% solution of perfume in oil and hence will be perceived much less by the consumer.

This can be accomplished in the personal product formulations by increasing the separate benefit agent (e.g., perfume) concentration in the benefit agent carrier or by lowering the amount of benefit agent carrier used to carry the separate benefit agent.

An example of this concentration effect will be clearly demonstrated in the examples. Therefore this invention will attempt to take advantage of using various levels of structured benefit agent to balance the overall delivery of separate benefit agent (for example, perfume) to the skin during use, taking into account the release/delivery of the separate hydrophobic benefit agent for human perception.

Separate Hydrophobic Benefit Agents

The separate hydrophobic benefit agents of the subject invention (e.g., those being carried or entrapped by the structured benefit agent or those found in the final solution in the presence of a structured benefit agent) may be a single benefit agent or a mixture of two or more benefit agents.

The separate hydrophobic benefit agent(s) may offer benefits such as fragrance, skin lightening, sunscreen protection, anti-aging benefit, chemosensory benefit (cooling/warming), etc.

A preferred list of separate hydrophobic benefit agents include:

-   -   (a) Fragrance molecules which include acetanisol; amyl acetate;         anisic aldehyde; anisole; anisylalcohol; benzaldehyde; benzyl         acetate; benzyl acetone; benzyl alcohol; benzyl formate;         hexenol; laevo-carveol; d-carvone; cinnamaldehyde; cinnamic         alcohol; cinnamyl acetate; cinnamyl formate; cis-3-hexenyl         acetate; Cyclal C (2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-carbaldehyde);         dihydroxyindole; dimethyl benzyl carbinol; ethyl acetate; ethyl         acetoacetate; ethyl butanoate; ethyl butyrate; ethyl vanillin;         tricyclo decenyl propionate; furfural; hexanal; hexenol;         hydratropic alcohol; hydroxycitronellal; indole; isoamyl         alcohol; isopulegyl acetate; isoquinoline; ligustral; linalool         oxide; methyl acetophenone; methyl amyl ketone; methyl         anthranilate; methyl benzoate; methyl benzyl acetate; methyl         heptenone; methyl heptyl ketone; methyl phenyl carbinyl acetate;         methyl salicylate; octalactone; para-cresol; para-methoxy         acetophenone; para-methyl acetophenone; phenethylalcohol;         phenoxy ethanol; phenyl acetaldehyde; phenyl ethyl acetate;         phenyl ethyl alcohol; prenyl acetate; propyl butyrate; safrole;         vanillin; viridine, allyl caproate, allyl heptoate, anisole,         camphene, carvacrol, carvone, citral, citronellal, citronellol,         citronellyl acetate, citronellyl nitrile, coumarin, cyclohexyl         ethylacetate, p-cymene, decanal, dihydromyrcenol,         dihydromyrcenyl acetate, dimethyl octanol, ethyllinalool,         ethylhexyl ketone, eucalyptol, fenchyl acetate, geraniol, gernyl         formate, hexenyl isobutyrate, hexyl acetate, hexyl         neopentanoate, heptanal, isobornyl acetate, isoeugenol,         isomenthone, isononyl acetate, isononyl alcohol, isomenthol,         isopulegol, limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, menthyl         acetate, methyl chavicol, methyl octyl acetaldehyde, myrcene,         napthalene, nerol, neral, nonanal, 2-nonanone, nonyl acetate,         octanol, octanal, α-pinene, β-pinene, rose oxide, α-terpinene,         γ-terpinene, α-terpinenol, terpinolene, terpinyl acetate,         tetrahydrolinalool, tetrahydromyrcenol, undecenal, veratrol,         verdox, allyl cyclohexane propionate, ambrettolide, Ambrox DL         (dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-naphtho[2,1-b]furan), amyl         benzoate, amyl cinnamate, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl         salicylate, anethol, aurantiol, benzophenone, benzyl butyrate,         benzyl iso-valerate, benzyl salicylate, cadinene,         campylcyclohexal, cedrol, cedryl acetate, cinnamyl cinnamate,         citronellyl isobutyrate, citronellyl propionate, cuminic         aldehyde, cyclohexylsalicylate, cyclamen aldehyde, dihydro         isojamonate, diphenyl methane, diphenyl oxide, dodecanal,         dodecalactone, ethylene brassylate, ethylmethyl phenylglycidate,         ethyl undecylenate, exaltolide, Galoxilide™         (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexhydro,4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta-γ-2-benzopyran),         geranyl acetate, geranyl isobutyrate, hexadecanolide, hexenyl         salicylate, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, hexyl salicylate, α-ionone,         β-ionone, γ-ionone, α-irone, isobutyl benzoate, isobutyl         quinoline, Iso E Super™ (7-acetyl,         1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro,1,1,6,7-tetramethyl napthalene),         cis-jasmone, lilial, linalyl benzoate, 20methoxy naphthaline,         methyl cinnamate, methyl eugenol, γ-methylionone, methyl         linolate, methyl linolenate, musk indanone, musk ketone, musk         tibetine, myristicin, neryl acetate, δ-nonalactone,         γ-nonalactone, patchouli alcohol, phantolide, phenylethyl         benzoate, phenylethylphenylacetate, phenyl heptanol, phenyl         hexanol, α-santalol, thibetolide, tonalid, δ-undecalactone,         γ-undecalactone, vertenex, vetiveryl acetate, yara-yara,         ylangene.     -   (b) sunscreens such as octyl methoxyl cinnamate (Parsol MCX)         octocrylene(2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate), octyl         salicylate (2 ethylhexyl salicylate), benzophenone-3         (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone), and avobenzone         (4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane) (these are merely         illustrative);     -   (c) anti-aging, wrinkle-reducing, skin whitening, anti-acne, and         sebum reduction agents such as alpha-hydroxy acids and esters,         beta-hydroxy acids and ester, polyhydroxy acids and esters,         kojic acid and esters, ferulic acid and ferulate derivatives,         vanillic acid and esters, dioic acids (such as sebacid and         azoleic acids) and esters, retinol, retinal, retinyl esters,         hydroquinone, t-butyl hydroquinone, mulberry extract, licorice         extract, and resorcinol derivatives;     -   (d) chemosensory agents such as menthols, vanillin butyl ether,         capsaisin, tea tree oil, etc.         Benefit Agent Carriers

This section refers to benefit agents which are structured and act as a carrier comprising or entrapping the SHBA. As noted, structured benefit agents also aid to enhance the properties of the SHBA even if these separate hydrophobes were added outside the premix but are in the presence of the structured benefit agent in the final formulation.

The benefit agent carrier of the subject invention may be a single benefit agent component. Further the benefit agent may be a mixture of two or more components. Because of the enhanced deposition of the structured benefit agent, (although other mechanism is possible and this is not a limitation) there will be an enhancement of the benefit of a separate hydrophobic benefit agent of at least 5% relative to if the structured benefit agent had not been used.

The structured benefit agent in the structured carrier can themselves offer benefits and act as emollients, moisturizers, skin-toning agents, etc.

The preferred list of benefit agents include:

-   -   (a) silicone oils, gums and modifications thereof such as linear         and cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes; amino, alkyl alkylaryl and         aryl silicone oils;     -   (b) fats and oils including natural fats and oils such as         jojoba, soybean, sunflower seed oil, rice bran, avocado, almond,         olive, sesame, castor, coconut, mink oils; cacao fat; beef         tallow, lard; hardened oils obtained by hydrogenating the         aforementioned oils; and synthetic mono, di and triglycerides         such as myristic acid glyceride and 2-ethylhexanoic acid         glyceride;     -   (c) waxes such as carnauba, spermaceti, beeswax, lanolin and         derivatives thereof;     -   (d) hydrophobic plant extracts;     -   (e) hydrocarbons such as liquid paraffins, petrolatum, vaseline,         microcrystalline wax, ceresin, squalene, pristan, paraffin wax         and mineral oil;     -   (f) higher fatty acids such as behenic, oleic, linoleic,         linolenic, lanolic, isostearic and poly unsaturated fatty acids         (PUFA);     -   (g) higher alcohols such as lauryl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl,         behenyl, cholesterol and 2-hexydecanol alcohol;     -   (h) esters such as cetyl octanoate, myristyl lactate, cetyl         lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, isopropyl         myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl         stearate, decyl oleate, cholesterol isostearate, glycerol         monostearate, glycerol distearate, glycerol tristearate, alkyl         lactate, alkyl citrate and alkyl tartrate;     -   (i) lipids such as cholesterol, ceramides, sucrose esters and         pseudo-ceramides as described in European Patent Specification         No. 556,957;     -   (j) vitamins such as vitamin A and E, and vitamin alkyl esters,         including those vitamin C alkyl esters;     -   (k) phospholipids;     -   (l) particles having a wide range of shapes, surface         characteristics, and hardness characteristics can be utilized to         provide optical effect. The water-insoluble particles of the         present invention can be derived from a wide variety of         materials including those derived from inorganic, organic,         natural, and synthetic sources. Nonlimiting examples of these         materials include those selected from the group consisting of         almond meal, alumina, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, mica,         coated mica, sodium stearate, stearic acid, zinc stearate,         aluminum silicate, apricot seed powder, attapulgite, barley         flour, bismuth oxychloride, boron nitride, calcium carbonate,         calcium phosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, calcium sulfate,         cellulose, chalk, chitin, clay, corn cob meal, corn cob powder,         corn flour, corn meal, corn starch, diatomaceous earth,         dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, fullers         earth, hydrated silica, hydroxyapatite, iron oxide, jojoba seed         powder, kaolin, loofah, magnesium trisilicate, mica,         microcrystalline cellulose, montmorillonite, oat bran, oat         flour, oatmeal, peach pit powder, pecan shell powder,         polybutylene, polyethylene, polyisobutylene, polymethylstyrene,         polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, nylon, teflon (i.e.         polytetrafluoroethylene), polyhalogenated olefins, pumice rice         bran, rye flour, sericite, silica, silk, sodium bicarbonate,         sodium silicoaluminate, soy flour synthetic hectorite, talc, tin         oxide, titanium dioxide, tricalcium phosphate, walnut shell         powder, wheat bran, wheat flour, wheat starch, zirconium         silicate, and mixtures thereof. Also useful are micronized         particles made from mixed polymers (e.g., copolymers,         terpolymers, etc.), such as polyethylene/polypropylene         copolymer, polyethylene/propylene/isobutylene copolymer,         polyethylene/styrene copolymer, and the like; and     -   (m) mixtures of any of the foregoing benefit agents.

Although not listed above, hydrophilic benefit agents may also be entrapped in the structured benefit agent network of the premix or separately added outside the premix. This is discussed, for example, in applicants' copending application relating to hydrophilic benefit agents hereby incorporated by reference into the subject application.

Natural or Synthetic Crystalline Structurant

The crystalline structurant used for “structuring” the benefit agent or emollient carrier of the subject invention may be a natural or synthetic crystalline wax. Mineral, animal or plant (vegetable) waxes are all described as natural waxes. Synthetic waxes are described as those waxes that have been synthetically polymerized from raw materials or chemically modified natural waxes.

Among the natural crystalline waxes which may be used are petroleum based waxes such as paraffins and microcrystalline wax. Chemically, both microcrystalline (MC) and paraffin waxes are very similar, consisting of long saturated hydrocarbon chains. Both types of waxes are separated from crude petroleum with the MC waxes typically having higher molecular weights. Paraffin wax is extracted from the high boiling fractions of crude petroleum during the refining process by cooling and filtering. Following a sweating process to remove remaining oil in the wax, the resulting paraffin wax typically has less than 0.5% oil. There are many different grades available mostly varying in melting point. Generally, paraffin waxes are colorless or white and transparent. Paraffin waxes consist mainly of straight chain molecules with a small amount of branched-chain molecules having branching near the end of the chains. As a result of the long, straight chains, paraffin wax has large, well-formed crystals. Molecular weights of paraffin waxes generally range from 360 to 420 (26 to 30 carbon atoms), although versions with longer chains (molecular weights up to 600) are available. Typical melting points are 126-134° F. (52-57° C.), the high molecular weight versions have melting points near 170° F. (77° C.). Paraffin waxes are brittle and the addition of oil weakens the structure (lowers the tensile strength).

Microcrystalline waxes (MC) differ from paraffin waxes in physical properties, chain structure and length, crystal type and in the process of manufacture. They are tougher, more flexible and have higher tensile strength and melting points than paraffin waxes. MC waxes have high affinity for oil which, when added, increases the wax plasticity. MC wax cannot be distilled without decomposition and therefore is separated from the residual distillation fraction of crude petroleum by dewaxing processes involving recrystallization in organic solvents and centrifugation. Oil content varies with grade but is usually around 2 to 12%. MC waxes contain mostly branched-chain molecules located at random along the chain with some straight chains. Typical melting points are 145 to 195° F. (63-91° C.). The crystals of MC wax are small and irregular and consist of several types: plates, malcrystalline and needle. A high penetration number indicates flexibility of the wax, but flexibility is not a function of melting point.

There are also other mineral waxes such as montan wax, lignite wax, osocerite, ceresin, utah wax and peat wax.

Animal waxes can be obtained from such things as bees, insects or whales, These waxes include but are not limited to beeswax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti and wool wax. Beeswax, for example, classified as an animal wax, is secreted by the honey bee to construct the honeycomb. The wax is harvested by melting the honeycomb and filtering away the wax. Natural beeswax is a crystalline solid and is composed of myricyl palmitate, cerotic acid and smaller amounts of hydrocarbons, cholesterol esters and ceryl alcohols. Beeswax has melting points around 61-65° C. and is compatible with almost all waxes and oils.

Plant waxes can be derived from beans, leaves and berries. Plant or vegetable waxes can include bayberry, candelilla, carnauba, cotton, esparto, fir, Japan, ouricury, palm, rice-oil, sugar cane, ucuhuba and cocoa butter.

Among synthetic crystalline waxes which may be used are crystalline polymers such as polyethylene, Fischer-Tropsch waxes such as polymethylene, chemically modified waxes, polymerized alpha olefins and synthetic animal waxes. For example, siliconyl beeswax may be used which is beeswax that has been chemically modified.

A sample of various waxes which may be used according to the subject invention and of their properties is set forth below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Waxes and their Properties Penetration Melting Wax Manufacturer Classification* No.** (25° C.) Point (° C.) Ultraflex Amber Bareco Products MC 27 74.1 Victory Amber Bareco Products MC 28 79.1 White Petrolatum Penreco MC — 54 Multiwax ML-445 Crompton Corp. MC 30 79.4 Multiwax 180-M Crompton Corp. MC 18 85 Multiwax W-835 Crompton Corp. MC 70 76.7 Multiwax X145A Crompton Corp. MC 40 74 Paraffin Wax 50/155 Frank B. Ross Co., Inc. P 12 67 Siliconyl Beeswax Koster Kuenen, Inc. dN N/A 70 Be Square 175 white Bareco Products MC 15 82.5 Be Square 175 black Bareco Products MC 18 82.3 Perrowax 2250F The International Group MC N/A 40 Beeswax NF Frank B. Ross Co., Inc. N 18 62.5 *MC: microcrystalline; P: paraffin; N: natural/animal; dN: derivative of natural/animal wax **Penetration No.: Penetration number values as reported by manufacturers using the standard test method for needle penetration of petroleum waxes of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D1321). The depth of penetration of needle in tenths of a millimeter (dmm) is measured with a penetrometer that applies a standard needle to the sample for 5 seconds under a load of 100 grams.

Another structuring material of the invention (e.g., used for structuring other benefit agents) is the microcrystalline wax petrolatum (also known as petrolatum or mineral jelly), which typically comprises about 90% by wt. of a natural mixture of microcrystalline waxes plus minor amounts of other impurities.

In addition, the structurant may be a natural or synthetic hydrogenated oil or fat. Hydrogenated oils are also commonly referred to as fats. Hydrogenated oils and fats are further classified into their animal or vegetable origin. In addition some fatty acids and fatty alcohols can be used as structurant as well as salts of fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids and fatty acid esters.

Hydrogenated oils are prepared by the catalyst-induced reaction of unsaturated double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils with hydrogen. Oils are fully or partially hydrogenated to make them more solid and to improve their stability against oxidation. Hydrogenated oils are wax-like, hard and can be brittle. They are compatible with oils and when mixed with oils at high temperature will cool to form solid masses.

Hydrogenated oils can be hydrogenated vegetable oils, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, hydrogenated rapeseed oil and many others. Another hydrogenated oil is castorwax. Castorwax is prepared from the hydrogenation of castor oil to create a hard, high melting, wax-like material.

It is well known that triglyceride fats have characteristic polymorphic crystals. Of the three polymorphic forms of crystals for triglycerides (alpha, beta prime and beta) the beta prime crystals are the smallest (<1 μm).

Along with size and shape, a high concentration of particles is required so that the crystals interact in the dispersion. Above a certain critical volume fraction of crystals, these interactions will lead to a buildup of a network that extends throughout the whole volume. The crystal network creates a solid-like material having viscoelastic properties.

Thus, the ability of the fat crystals of the hydrogenated oils to form continuous networks that entrap the oil depends on the solid fat content in the fat/oil mixtures and also on crystal morphology For example, when there is a high concentration of beta prime crystals, a continuous network of small crystals extends through the sample and the sample is solid and stable. Typically, at solid fat contents of 40-50%, the consistency is hard and brittle, at 20-30% the system is solid-like but yielding, at lower concentrations the consistency is more fluid often with a grainy texture and at very low concentrations the fat crystals separate from the liquid. However, the exact concentrations of crystals required to build desired structures varies depending on the fat and oil used. In practice, the crystal formation is also dependent on processing conditions such as temperature, crystal formation rate and shearing.

A sample of various fats and hydrogenated oils that may be used according to the subject invention and their melting point temperature is set forth below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Properties of Hydrogenated Oils, Fatty Alcohols and Fatty Acids Hydrogenated Oil/ Melting Fat Manufacturer Point (° C.) Castorwax CasChem 70 Stearine Loders Croklaan 60 Alkofine R Karlshamns 60 Lipex 408 Karlshamns 50 Hydrogenated Karlshamns 35 Palm Kernel Oil Hydrogenated Karlshamns 42 coconut oil Stearyl alcohol Aldrich 54 Stearic acid Sigma 53

Crystalline long chain fatty acids and long chain fatty alcohols can also be used to structure benefit agents. Examples of fatty acids are myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid and behenic acid. Examples of fatty alcohols are palmityl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol. Some crystalline fatty acid esters and glyceride esters will also provide structuring benefit.

In addition, the crystalline materials can be combined with other structuring materials such as natural and synthetic waxes to form composite networks to structure benefit agents.

Structured Benefit Agent Vehicle

As noted above, the structurant in the benefit agent is believed to form a three-dimensional supporting network which is believed to make the structured benefit agent more than just thickened benefit agents. That is, it changes the consistency of the fluid benefit agent (e.g., oil) to a solid-like material having good spreading/deposition properties. Deposition is believed to occur by transfer of structured benefit agent droplets/particles to the substrate surface from the composition where the crystalline structure of the structuring material crystals (e.g., aspect ratio) is believed to help enhance affinity of the structured benefit agent to substrate.

Other benefit agents in the premix may also structure (i.e., 2 or more) or just one may structure) and/or the other benefit agent may have enhanced deposition by being entrapped in the network formed by the structured benefit agent.

The benefit agent may comprise 0.1 to 99.9% by wt. of the delivery vehicle/premix and structurant may comprise 99.9 to 1% by wt. of the delivery vehicle. Preferably benefit agent is 0.5 to 99.5%, more preferably 1 to 99% of vehicle. In some preferred embodiment, benefit agent comprises 50-99% of vehicle while structurant is 1 to 50%, preferably 2 to 45% of benefit agent vehicle.

When used, for example, as part of a cleanser emulsion where carrier structuring material (e.g., wax) is 20% of structured benefit agent carrier, droplet diameters of the structured carrier may be in the range of 1-15 μm, with average droplets having a size of 4-8 μm.

When incorporated into liquid cleanser formulations, the structured benefit agent droplets are generally solid when stored at room temperature and may be seen as particles. The droplets may be somewhat spherical but have a rough, textured surface, a result of the structurant crystal within the drops

It has also been noted that material with high crystalline structure (e.g., paraffin, microcrystalline wax) yields excellent deposition of benefit agent.

As mentioned earlier, there is no large size requirement for the structured benefit agent carrier droplets of the invention. Unlike prior art, the structured benefit agent can deposit high amounts of structured benefit agent even at small droplet sizes, i.e., below 10 μm and possibly even submicron.

As also mentioned, low levels (<50% of benefit agent) of structurant can be used.

The only criticality is that the shape of the structurant have high axial or aspect ratio (A/B>1). This is shown in FIG. 3. The length is to be understood as the longer of the two dimensions when considering length and width. The fact that structuring exists is shown by high yield stress observed on benefit agents even when using low amount of structurant (see FIG. 1).

The structured benefit agent of the invention may also be used in combination with other materials that have been shown to enhance the deposition of hydrophobic benefit agents (e.g., cationic polymers, inorganic thickening agents such as clays or silicas, and polymer thickening agents).

Finally, as noted, the structured benefit agent aids in enhancing effect of other non-structured benefit agents which are not part of premix. This phenomenon is described, for example both here (for separate hydrophobe property enhancement, whether carried or added separately from premix) as well as other of applicants co-filed, co-pending applications.

Process

A critical aspect of the subject invention is that the benefit agent being structured and crystalline structurant must be combined (e.g., in a premix) before they are combined with the carrying composition. The combination of such premix with remaining composition should be when the structured benefit agent is in a molten, semi-molten or solid state and preferably although not necessarily such that it can be poured into the carrying composition. The combination of such premix with carrying composition should preferably, although not necessarily, be when the structured benefit agent is in a molten or semi-molten state such that it can be poured into the carrying composition. That is, the viscosity of structured benefit agent premix when mixing should preferably, but no necessarily, be no higher than about 250 Pa-s, more preferably 200 Pa-s, most preferable 150 Pa-s.

In one embodiment of the invention, the crystalline structurant and benefit agent are combined and may be heated to a temperature above the melting point of the structurant. These are then preferably mixed to uniformity.

Preferably, the molten material is added to a carrying composition, preferably a surfactant containing carrying composition and maintained at the same temperature as the benefit agent and structurant mixture. After mixing (about 10 seconds to an hour, preferably 5 minutes to 45 minutes), the mixture is cooled, if necessary, to room temperature. As noted, structurant is combined with benefit agent before addition to the carrying composition (e.g., aqueous surfactant phase). It should be noted that a pourable viscosity, if desirably used, may also be obtained by vigorous mixing of structurant and benefit agent and that heating is not necessarily required.

When such process is followed, the resulting structured benefit agent compositions will have the properties described above (i.e. shear thinning, yield stress etc.) and provide deposition of the structured benefit agent, when measured from the carrying composition, of at least 5% greater, preferably at least 10% greater relative to level of deposition of benefit agent to substrate from final composition if the benefit agent had not been structured, or the benefit agent not being in the presence, in the final formulation, of a structured benefit agent. In one embodiment, the carrying composition is a liquid and there is resulting deposition of structured benefit agent at least about 60 μg/cm², preferably at least about 75, more preferably at least about 100 μg/cm². In another embodiment, the carrying composition is a bar and there is deposition of at least 5 μg/cm².

Compositions

In one embodiment of the invention, the premix comprising structured benefit agent carrier and optionally SHBA may be used in a liquid (e.g., personal wash cleanser) composition. Typically, such personal wash cleanser composition comprises as follows:

-   -   (1) 0% to 99%, preferably 1 to 75% by wt., more preferably 3 to         70% by wt. of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of         anionic, amphoteric, nonionic and cationic surfactant and         mixtures thereof;     -   (2) 0.1% to 90%, preferably 0.5% to 80% of a delivery vehicle         comprising 0.1 to 99.9% benefit agent (defined as benefit agent         carrier and/or hydrophobic benefit agent) and 99.9 to 0.1%         structurant(s) selected from the group consisting of natural and         synthetic crystalline waxes, natural or synthetic hydrogenated         oils or fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, salts of fatty acids,         hydroxy fatty acids, fatty acid esters and mixtures thereof;     -   (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent;     -   (4) optional ingredients for liquid personal cleanser; and     -   (5) balance water,     -   wherein the premix (structured benefit agent) is delivered to         liquid compositions as a separate premix; and     -   wherein deposition of oil/emollient from the liquid composition         onto substrate is greater than 5%, preferably greater than 10%         relative to deposition of same benefit agents not processed in         accordance with the invention.

In addition, when the structured benefit agent is used, there is an enhancement of benefit of the hydrophobic benefit agent of at least 5%. For example, if perfume is used, there is enhanced impact of at least 5% relative to if structured benefit agent was not present.

In the specific liquid embodiment noted above, oil benefit agents will have deposition onto substrate of greater than 60 μg/cm².

In another embodiment of the invention, the premix comprising oil/benefit agent may be used in a bar (e.g., personal cleansing bar) composition. Typically, such composition comprises as follows:

-   -   (1) 1 to 80%, preferably 3 to 65% by wt. of a surfactant         selected from the group consisting of anionic, amphoteric,         nonionic and cationic surfactant and mixtures thereof;     -   (2) 0.1% to 90%, preferably 0.5% to 80% of a delivery vehicle         comprising 0.1 to 99.9% delivery vehicle benefit agent or agents         and 99.9 to 0.1% delivery vehicle crystalline structurant(s)         selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic         crystalline waxes;     -   (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent;     -   (4) 0.1 to 80%, preferably 5% to 70% by wt. total composition a         structuring aid and/or filler;     -   (5) optional ingredients for personal cleansing bar,     -   wherein the premix (structured benefit agent) is incorporated         into bar compositions as a separate premix; and     -   wherein deposition of oil from the composition onto substrate is         greater than 5%, preferably greater than 10% relative to         deposition of same benefit agent not prepared in accordance with         the invention.

In addition, when the structured benefit agent is used, there is an enhancement of benefit of the hydrophobic benefit agent of at least 5%. For example, if perfume is used, there is enhanced impact of at least 5% relative to if structured benefit agent was not present.

In the specific bar embodiment noted, oil benefit agents will have deposition onto substrate of greater than 5 μg/cm².

Surfactant System (Liquids & Bars)

Anionic Surfactants

The anionic surfactant may be, for example, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary alkane (e.g., C₈-C₂₂) sulfonate, primary alkane (e.g., C₈-C₂₂) disulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ alkene sulfonate, C₈-C₂₂ hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS); or an aromatic sulfonate such as alkyl benzene sulfonate.

The anionic may also be an alkyl sulfate (e.g., C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl sulfate) or alkyl ether sulfate (including alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates). Among the alkyl ether sulfates are those having the formula: RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)SO₃M

wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 18 carbons, n has an average value of greater than 10, preferably between 2 and 3; and M is a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium. Ammonium and sodium lauryl ether sulfates are preferred.

The anionic may also be alkyl sulfosuccinates (including mono- and dialkyl, e.g., C₆-C₂₂ sulfosuccinates); alkyl and acyl taurates, alkyl and acyl sarcosinates, sulfoacetates, C₈-C₂₂ alkyl phosphates and phosphates, alkyl phosphate esters and alkoxyl alkyl phosphate esters, acyl lactates, C₈-C₂₂ monoalkyl succinates and maleates, sulphoacetates, and acyl isethionates.

Sulfosuccinates may be monoalkyl sulfosuccinates having the formula: R⁴O₂CCH₂CH(SO₃M)CO₂M;

amido-MEA sulfosuccinates of the formula R⁴CONHCH₂CH₂O₂CCH₂CH(SO₃M)CO₂M

wherein R⁴ ranges from C₈-C₂₂ alkyl and M is a solubilizing cation;

amido-MIPA sulfosuccinates of formula RCONH(CH₂)CH(CH₃)(SO₃M)CO₂M

where M is as defined above.

Also included are the alkoxylated citrate sulfosuccinates; and alkoxylated sulfosuccinates such as the following:

wherein n=1 to 20; and M is as defined above.

Sarcosinates are generally indicated by the formula RCON(CH₃)CH₂CO₂M, wherein R ranges from C₈ to C₂₀ alkyl and M is a solubilizing cation.

Taurates are generally identified by formula

R²CONR³CH₂CH₂SO₃M wherein R² ranges from C₈-C₂₀ alkyl, R³ ranges from C₁-C₄ alkyl and M is a solubilizing cation.

Another class of anionics are carboxylates such as follows: R—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)CO₂M

wherein R is C₈ to C₂₀ alkyl; n is 0 to 20; and M is as defined above.

Another carboxylate which can be used is amido alkyl polypeptide carboxylates such as, for example, Monteine LCQ® by Seppic.

Another surfactant which may be used are the C₈-C₁₈ acyl isethionates. These esters are prepared by reaction between alkali metal isethionate with mixed aliphatic fatty acids having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and an iodine value of less than 20. At least 75% of the mixed fatty acids have from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and up to 25% have from 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

Acyl isethionates, when present, will generally range from about 0.5-15% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, this component is present from about 1 to about 10%.

The acyl isethionate may be an alkoxylated isethionate such as is described in Ilardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,466, hereby incorporated by reference into the subject application.

Another surfactant which may be used are C₈ to C₂₂ neutralized fatty acids (soap). Preferably, the soap used are straight chain, saturated C₁₂ to C₁₈ neutralized fatty acids.

In general the anionic component will comprise from about 1 to 20% by weight of the composition, preferably 2 to 15%, most preferably 5 to 12% by weight of the composition.

Zwitterionic and Amphoteric Surfactants

Zwitterionic surfactants are exemplified by those which can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. A general formula for these compounds is:

wherein R² contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxy alkyl radical of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R³ is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; X is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene of from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate groups.

Examples of such surfactants include:

-   4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonio]-1-butane-1-carboxylate; -   5-[S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio]-3-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate; -   3-[P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxatetradexocylphosphonio]-2-hydroxypropane-1-phosphate; -   3-[N,N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropylammonio]-propane-1-phosphonate; -   3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate; -   3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate; -   4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxydodecyl)ammonio]-butane-1-carboxylate; -   3-[S-ethyl-S-(3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)sulfonio]-propane-1-phosphate; -   3-[P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio]-propane-1-phosphonate; and -   5-[N,     N-di(3-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonio]-2-hydroxy-pentane-1-sulfate.

Amphoteric detergents which may be used in this invention include at least one acid group. This may be a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid group. They include quaternary nitrogen and therefore are quaternary amido acids. They should generally include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms. They will usually comply with an overall structural formula:

where R¹ is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms;

R² and R³ are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

n is 2 to 4;

m is 0 to 1;

X is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, and

Y is —CO₂— or —SO₃—

Suitable amphoteric detergents within the above general formula include simple betaines of formula:

and amido betaines of formula:

where m is 2 or 3.

In both formulae R¹, R² and R³ are as defined previously. R¹ may in particular be a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₄ alkyl groups derived from coconut so that at least half, preferably at least three quarters of the groups R¹ have 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R² and R³ are preferably methyl.

A further possibility is that the amphoteric detergent is a sulphobetaine of formula

where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which —(CH₂)₃SO⁻ ₃ is replaced by

In these formulae R¹, R² and R³ are as discussed previously.

Amphoacetates and diamphoacetates are also intended to be covered in possible zwitterionic and/or amphoteric compounds which may be used.

The amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactant, when used, generally comprises 0% to 25%, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 5% to 15% of the composition.

In addition to one or more anionic and optional amphoteric and/or zwitterionic, the surfactant system may optionally comprise a nonionic surfactant.

Nonionic Surfactants

The nonionic which may be used includes in particular the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detergent compounds are alkyl (C₆-C₂₂) phenols-ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of aliphatic (C₈-C₁₈) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulphoxides.

The nonionic may also be a sugar amide, such as a polysaccharide amide. Specifically, the surfactant may be one of the lactobionamides described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,279 to Au et al. which is hereby incorporated by reference or it may be one of the sugar amides described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,814 to Kelkenberg, hereby incorporated into the subject application by reference.

Other surfactants which may be used are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,325 to Parran Jr. and alkyl polysaccharide nonionic surfactants as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 to Llenado, both of which are also incorporated into the subject application by reference.

Preferred alkyl polysaccharides are alkylpolyglycosides of the formula R²O(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(t)(glycosyl)_(x)

wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 0 to 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from 1.3 to about 10, preferably from 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominantly the 2-position.

Structurant Benefit Agent Premix

The benefit agent carrier portion of the structured premix may be any of the benefit agents described previously in the section relating to the benefit agent.

Similarly, the crystalline structurant may be any one of the materials described above.

The premix/delivery vehicle is also as described above.

As indicated earlier, the premix should be made separately and it can be liquid (molten) semi-molten or solid before adding to final carrying composition when used in liquid. The premix preferably may be in pourable or flowable state (viscosity is lower than 250 Pa-s, more preferably lower than 200 Pa-s, most preferably lower than 150 Pa-s) before adding to final carrying composition (e.g. liquid composition).

When using the benefit agent premix of the invention (either structured benefit agent or being in the presence of structured benefit agent, even if added separately from premix), the benefit agent will deposit in an amount at least 5% or greater, preferably at least 10% greater than if no structured benefit agent is present in the final formulation.

Moreover, because of enhanced deposition using structured benefit agent, there will be improved benefit (e.g., perfume impact) of at least about 5% relative to if no structured benefit agent is used.

In one embodiment, when used in a liquid composition, a benefit agent oil will have deposition of greater than 60 μg/cm², preferably greater than 75 μg/cm², more preferably greater than 100 μg/cm² and this deposition is not dependent on large droplet size of the structured benefit agent. Furthermore, in a specific embodiment, such improved deposition results in enhanced perfume impact of at least 5%.

In a second embodiment when used in a bar composition, a benefit agent oil will have deposition of greater than 5 μg/cm², preferably greater than 10, more preferably greater than 20 μg/cm² and this deposition is not dependent on large droplet size of the structured benefit agent.

Bar Compositions

Structuring Aids or Fillers

The compositions may also contain 0.1 to 80% by wt., preferably 5 to 70% by wt. of a structurant and/or filler. Such structurants can be used to enhance the bar integrity, improve the processing properties, and enhance desired user sensory profiles.

The structurant is generally long chain, preferably straight and saturated, (C₈-C₂₄) fatty acid or salt thereof or ester derivative thereof; and/or branched long chain, preferably straight and saturated, (C₈-C₂₄) alcohol or ether derivatives thereof.

A preferred bar structurant is polyalkylene glycol with molecular weight between 2000 and 20,000, preferably between 3000 and 10,000. Those PEGs are commercially available, such as those marketed under the tradename of CARBOWAX SENTRY PEG8000® or PEG4000® by Union Carbide.

Other ingredients that can be used as structurants or fillers include starches, preferably water soluble starches such as maltodextrin and polyethylene wax or paraffin wax.

Structuring aids can also be selected from water soluble polymers chemically modified with hydrophobic moiety or moieties, for example, EO-PO block copolymer, hydrophobically modified PEGs such as POE(200)-glyceryl-stearate, glucam DOE 120 (PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate), and Hodag CSA-102 (PEG-150 stearate), and Rewoderm® (PEG modified glyceryl cocoate, palmate or tallowate) from Rewo Chemicals.

Other structuring aids which may be used include Amerchol Polymer HM 1500 (Nonoxynyl Hydroethyl Cellulose).

12-Hydroxy stearic acid may be used as a component of the bar structuring system. Such structurant is described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,751 to Abbas et al., hereby incorporated by reference into the subject application.

Other Bar Ingredients

In addition, the bar compositions of the invention may include 0 to 15% by wt. optional ingredients as follows:

Perfumes (as described in section on benefit agents); sequestering agents, such as tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), EHDP or mixtures in an amount of 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; and coloring agents, opacifiers and pearlizers such as zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, TiO₂, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostearate) or Lytron 621 (Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the appearance or cosmetic properties of the product.

The compositions may further comprise antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy-4,2′4′ trichlorodiphenylether (DP300); preservatives such as dimethyloldimethylhydantoin (Glydant XL1000), parabens, sorbic acid etc.

The compositions may also comprise coconut acyl mono- or diethanol amides as suds boosters, and strongly ionizing salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate may also be used to advantage.

Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may be used advantageously in amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate.

Cationic polymers which may be used include Quatrisoft LM-200 Polyquaternium-24, Merquat Plus 3330—Polyquaternium 39; and Jaguar® type cationics.

Polyethylene glycols as conditioners which may be used include:

Polyox WSR-205 PEG 14M, Polyox WSR-N-60K PEG 45M, or Polyox WSR-N-750 PEG 7M.

Another ingredient which may be included are exfoliants such as polyoxyethylene beads, walnut shells and apricot seeds.

Cationic polymers, like other benefit agents, may be included in the bar surfactant/structurant filler carrying composition or they may be added into the premix benefit delivery vehicle along with the wax.

Typically, bars will also comprise 1 to 30%, preferably 2 to 20% water. The amount of water may vary depending on type of process and structuring material used.

Non Bar Composition

The non-bar, preferably liquid compositions of the invention may include optional ingredients as follows:

Another optional element of the invention is an emulsion stabilizer (found in, for example, in liquid aqueous phase). The dispersion stabilizer is intended to provide adequate storage stability to the composition (i.e., so the benefit agent delivery vehicle is stable in the composition). The structured composition otherwise may be prone to separate under the action of gravity (creaming or sedimentation depending upon its density). The structured composition of the invention may also be prone to sticking together and coalescing.

The most effective dispersion stabilizers are those that can provide an adequate structure to the liquid, e.g., aqueous phase to immobilize the droplets thus preventing both gravitational separation and collision with other droplets. However, if the dispersion is too stable, the droplets of structured composition are inhibited from coming into proximity with the skin and thus effectively depositing. Therefore, the most effective dispersion stabilizers provided have excellent stability in the container but lose their effectiveness in immobilizing the structured benefit agent when they are applied to wet skin.

Aqueous dispersion stabilizers useful in the instant invention can be organic, inorganic or polymeric stabilizers. Specifically, the compositions comprise 0.1 to 10% by wt. of an organic, inorganic or polymeric stabilizer which should provide physical stability of the large structured oil droplets in the surfactant composition at 40° C. for over four weeks.

Inorganic dispersion stabilizers suitable for the invention include, but are not limited to clays, and silicas. Examples of clays include smectite clay selected from the group consisting of bentonite and hectorite and mixtures thereof. Synthetic hectorite (laponite) clay used in conjunction with an electrolyte salt capable of causing the clay to thicken (alkali and alkaline earth salts such as halides, ammonium salts and sulfates) particularly useful. Bentonite is a colloidal aluminum clay sulfate. Examples of silica include amorphous silica selected from the group consisting of fumed silica and precipitated silica and mixtures thereof.

Organic dispersion stabilizer are defined here as organic molecules that have a molecular weight generally lower than 1000 Daltons and form a network in the aqueous phase that immobilizes the dispersed structured oil phase. This network is comprised either of amorphous solids, crystals, or liquid crystalline phase. Suitable organic dispersion stabilizers for the instant invention are well know in the art and include, but are not limited to any of several types of long chain acyl derivatives or mixtures thereof. Included are the glycol mono- di- and triesters having about 14 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred glycol esters include the ethylene glycol mono- and distearates, glyceryl stearates, palm oil glyceride, tripalmitin, tristearin and mixtures thereof.

Another example of organic dispersion stabilizer are alkanolamides having from about 14 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred alkanolamides are stearic monoethanolamide, stearic diethanolamide stearic monoisopropanolamide, stearic monoethanolamide stearate and mixtures thereof.

Still another class of useful dispersion stabilizer is long chain fatty acid esters such as stearyl stearate, stearyl palmitate, palmityl palmitate, trihydroxystearylglycerol and tristearylglycerol.

Another type of organic dispersion stabilizer is the so-called emulsifying waxes such as mixtures of detostearyl alcohol with polysorbate 60, cetomacriogol 1000, cetrimide; a mixture of glycerol monostearate with a stearic soap, and partially neutralized stearic acid (to form a stearate gel).

Still another example of a suitable dispersion stabilizing agent is long chain amine oxides having from about 14 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred amine oxides are hexadecyldimethylamine oxide and octadecyldimethylamide oxide.

Example of a suitable polymeric dispersion stabilizing agents useful in the present invention include: carbohydrate gums such as cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gel, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethyl carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenan, hydroxymethyl carboxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, guar gum (including cationic guar gums), gum karaya, gum tragacanth, gum arabic, gum acacia, gum agar, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof. Preferred carbohydrate gums are the cellulose gums and xanthan gum.

An especially preferred types of polymeric dispersion stabilizer agent include acrylate containing homo and copolymers. Examples include the crosslinked poly acrylates sold by B. F. Goodrich under the CARBOPOL trade name; the hydrophobically modified cross linked polyacrylates sold by B. F. Goodrich under the PEMULEN trade name; and the alkali swellable acrylic latex polymers sold by Rohm and Haas under the ARYSOL or ACULYN trade names.

The above dispersion stabilizers can be used alone or in mixtures and may be present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the composition.

Perfume, which may be the combination of several fragrances, may be selected on the basis of the ability of the fragrances to be incorporated into the benefit agent delivery vehicle to provide enhanced fragrance delivery/benefit(s). However, as noted, perfume may also comprise a separate benefit agent which may be entrapped in a network formed by different structured benefit agent or may be added separately to the composition and not as part of the premix.

Organic solvents, such as ethanol; auxiliary thickeners, such as carboxymethylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, carbopols, glucamides, or Antil® from Rhone Poulenc; perfumes; sequestering agents, such as tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), EHDP or mixtures in an amount of 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; and coloring agents, opacifiers and pearlizers such as zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, TiO₂, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostearate) or Lytron 621 (Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the appearance or cosmetic properties of the product.

The compositions may further comprise antimicrobials such as 2-hydroxy-4,2′4′ trichlorodiphenylether (DP300); preservatives such as dimethyloldimethylhydantoin (Glydant XL1000), parabens, sorbic acid etc.

The compositions may also comprise coconut acyl mono- or diethanol amides as suds boosters, and strongly ionizing salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate may also be used to advantage.

Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Vitamin A, C & E or their derivatives may be used advantageously in amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate.

Polyethylene glycols which may be used include:

Polyox WSR-205 PEG 14M, Polyox WSR-N-60K PEG 45M, or Polyox WSR-N-750 PEG 7M.

Thickeners which may be used include Amerchol Polymer HM 1500 (Nonoxynyl Hydroethyl Cellulose); Glucam DOE 120 (PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate); Rewoderm® (PEG modified glyceryl cocoate, palmate or tallowate) from Rewo Chemicals; Antil® 141 (from Goldschmidt).

Another optional ingredient which may be added are the deflocculating polymers such as are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,576 to Montague, hereby incorporated by reference.

Another ingredient which may be included are exfoliants such as polyoxyethylene beads, walnut sheets and apricot seeds

Another preferred ingredient is a crystallization suppressant or control agent which is used to suppress individual or mixtures of sunscreen ingredients from crystallizing out of solution. This may lead to reduced deposition. These suppression agents include, for example, organic esters such as C₁₀-C₂₄, preferably C₁₂-C₁₅ alkyl benzoate among others. Other examples include Bernel PCM from Bernel, and Elefac 205 from Bernel. Specific sunscreen(s) are more resistant to crystallization than others, e.g., butyl octyl salicylate.

Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts or ratios of materials or conditions or reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”.

Where used in the specification, the term “comprising” is intended to include the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

The following examples are intended to further illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Unless indicated otherwise, all percentages are intended to be percentages by weight.

EXAMPLES Protocol

Ingredients Used

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) was Steol CS330 from Stepan Co. (Northfield, Ill.). Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) was Tego Betaine F50 from Goldschmidt Chemical Corp. (Hopewell, Va.). Refined sunflower seed oil was supplied by Welch, Holme and Clark Co., Inc. (Newark, N.J.). The petrolatum was white petrolatum from Penreco (Karns City, Pa.). The hydrogenated oils are commercially available from many manufacturers and were directly added to the formulations without further modification. Hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel, rapeseed and vegetable oils were supplied by Jarchem Industries, Inc. (Newark, N.J.). Castorwax was supplied by CasChem, Inc. (Bayonne, N.J.) Hydrogenated cotton seed oil, Stearine 07 supplied by Loders Croklaan. The commercially available AquaPel 15L from ExxonMobil Chemical (Edison, N.J.) is a linear butadiene-isoprene copolymer (M_(w) 15,000).

Other materials used in the production of example bar formulations were as follows: propylene glycol supplied by Ruger Chemical Company; Pricerine 4911 palmitic-stearic acid supplied by Uniqema; sodium cocoyl isethionate and 82/18 soap supplied by Lever; Mackam 1L supplied by McIntyre Group Ltd.; Emery 916 glycerine supplied by Cognis Corporation; Superhartolan by Croda; and polyethylene glycols from the Pluracol series supplied by BASF.

Non-Bar Skin Cleanser Base

Component % wt. Sodium Laureth Sulphate 13.0 Cocamidopropyl Betaine  7.0 Di Water To 100.0 Ph = 6.0-7.0 Equipment Processing

Small batches of liquid cleanser prototypes were mixed using an overhead stirrer equipped with a high-efficiency paddle. Formulations were prepared in 250 ml stainless steel beakers which were placed in a thermally-controlled water bath (±1.0° C.).

Preparation of Structured Benefit Agent

Structured (e.g., wax structured or hydrogenated oil structured) benefit agent premixes (delivery vehicles) were prepared at temperatures at or just above the melting points of the structurant or other mixtures of benefit agent and structuring component. Typically, the structuring material was weighed into a 100 ml or 125 ml stainless steel beaker and then the appropriate amount of benefit agent (e.g., wax or sunflower seed oil) was added based on the formulation specifications. The components were then heated by placing the beaker in a thermally-controlled water bath to melt the structuring material (e.g., wax or hydrogenated oil). The molten structured oil was stirred with a sigma blade mixer until uniformly mixed and, for liquid compositions, maintained at the elevated temperature until use (usually no more than 5 min). For bar compositions, the mixture was then either maintained at elevated temperature until its incorporation into a base formulation (i.e. a mixture of surfactants and bar structuring aids), or was allowed to cool to ambient temperature for incorporation into a bar base formulation.

Preparation of Liquid Prototype Samples

Liquid cleanser formulations were prepared under similar processing conditions except for differences in mixing temperatures as necessary due to the varying melting temperatures of the structurants. Formulations were prepared in 250 ml stainless steel beakers immersed in a thermally-controlled water bath. First the SLES and CAPB along with additional water were added together and mixed at 100 to 150 rpm for 5 min using an overhead stirrer. Mixing was continued until homogeneous while the temperature was raised to that of the wax-oil premix. Just prior to addition of the oil phase, the mixing speed was increased to 250 rpm. The molten structured oil premix was then poured into the stirring surfactant mixture and stirred (about 20 minutes) while maintaining the elevated temperature. When mixing was completed, the finished product was removed from the temperature bath and allowed to cool to room temperature without further stirring. In the examples, component amounts are given as a weight percentage of the composition.

Preparation of Bar Prototypes.

The base bar compositions were prepared by melting the bar structuring aids followed by addition of surfactants and then any additional components of the base formulation as required.

Bars produced via an extrusion process were mixed in a Patterson sigma blade mixer.

The compositions were then passed over a chill roll set at 15° C. The flakes from the chill roll were then extruded through a Weber Seelander laboratory scale plodder. Bars were stamped on a Sigma Engineering air-driven press.

Silicone Rubber Surface Preparation (Silflo)

Silflo silicone rubber material (Flexico Developments, England) was used as received. Silflo replica surfaces for deposition trials were prepared with surface roughness to approximate the skin surface roughness. About 5 ml of Silflo material was squeezed from the stock bottle onto wax paper. After the addition of 2-3 drops of catalyst (supplied with the Silflo) the liquid material will thicken while mixing with a stainless steel spatula (about 30 seconds). A piece of 100 grit sandpaper was cut to 4×4 cm square and taped to a surface to leave approximately 2.5×2.5 cm exposed. The thickened material was spread evenly over the sandpaper and allowed to dry (about 10 min). Once set, the solid Silflo replica was separated by peeling away the sandpaper and covering the exposed adhesive side of the tape with new pieces of tape. The replica surface was a negative of the sandpaper surface and thus is textured. The 100 grit was chosen to approximate the surface roughness of skin.

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition Protocol for Liquid Compositions

The amount of sunflower seed oil that deposits from the structured oil formulations was assessed on the Silflo replica surfaces. Newly prepared samples of formulations were tested in triplicate by applying product to the Silflo surface, rubbing in the product, rinsing and then extracting any oil remaining bound to the surface. In practice, 8.6 mg of product was applied per square centimeter of surface. After addition of one drop of tap water, the product was rubbed on the surface with one finger for 15 seconds (approximately 20 circular rubs). The surface was then rinsed with tap water maintained at 37° C. and a flow rate of 13-14 ml/sec, holding the sample 5 cm away from the tap at an angle of 45°. After rinse, the sample was blotted once with a towel and allowed to air dry for 15 min. The Silflo replica was then cut from the tape border with a razor blade and placed into a 20 ml glass vial with 10 g of hexanes. After mixing with an automatic “wrist action” shaker for 15 min, the Silflo replica was removed from the vial. For analysis of oil content, the extraction solvent was transferred to 1 ml glass vials.

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition Analysis by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) for Liquid Compositions

Analysis of oil concentration in the hexanes extracts was performed using thin layer chromatography (TLC). Samples were spotted onto TLC plates using an automatic TLC spotter (CAMAG Automatic TLC Sampler 4, CAMAG, Switzerland). Along with the sample extracts, six standard solutions of sunflower seed oil in hexanes were also spotted on each plate. Standards were prepared at concentrations ranging from 125 to 450 μg/g. TLC plates were cleaned before use by soaking first in methanol and then isopropanol for 15 min each and then dried overnight. After spotting, plates were placed in a glass TLC chamber containing 100 ml of developing solution (70% hexane, 29% ethyl ether, 1% acetic acid). When the solution had traveled % of the plate height, the plate was removed and air dried overnight. After drying, the TLC plates were immersed in staining solution (aqueous solution containing 10% cupric sulfate, 8% phosphoric acid). After blotting excess staining solution from the plates, they were heated for 30 min on a hotplate set at 165° C. For measurement of the deposited oil, the stained plates, now having charred spots representing the deposited oil extracted from the Silflo surfaces, were digitally scanned using a GS-700 Imaging Densitometer (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). Using the scanning software, the intensity of the sample spots was calculated based on a standard curve generated for the 6 standards applied to the plate. From these apparent intensity values, the concentration of sunflower oil in the extracts was calculated.

Droplet Size Measurement

Droplet size was measured from images captured of the oil droplets in the liquid formulations. Microscopic images were taken from samples of the body wash prototypes by placing a small amount (<0.1 ml) onto a glass slide. The sample was gently spread on the slide following placement of a cover slip. Samples were examined at 100× magnification using an optical microscope (Axioplan Model, Carl Zeiss, Inc., Thornwood, N.Y.). The microscope was equipped with a video camera, image processor and video monitor. The camera was connected to a personal computer and images were digitally captured using appropriate software. Using the imaging software, (structured) oil droplets were measured individually. At least 200 droplets were measured for each formulation sample.

Viscosity Shear Profile Measurement

The Rheometric Scientific ARES controlled strain rheometer (SR-5, RheometricScientific, Piscataway, N.J.) was used to determine shear profiles of structured benefit agents used herein. The rheometer was set up with parallel plates 25 mm in diameter typically with 200 to 500 μm gaps between the top and bottom plates. Test temperature was 37° C. Programmed steady shear rate sweeps were performed where the shear rates were logarithmically varied from 0.1 to 1000 seconds⁻¹, with 5 points recorded per decade. The shear scan typically takes 5 minutes to complete. The output is viscosity as a function of shear rate.

Yield Stress Measurement

The yield stress values of the structured benefit agents were measured using a Rheometric Scientific Stress Controlled Rheometer model SR-5 (Rheometric Scientific, Piscataway, N.J.). Stress ramp tests were performed on samples in stress ranges from 0.2 to 12000 Pa using either a 25 mm or 40 mm cone and plate fixture. Samples of the structured benefit agent to be tested were loaded between the fixture (top plate) and bottom plate. Using the RSI Orchestrator software supplied with the instrument, tests were conducted by incrementing the applied stress from 0.2 Pa to user defined final stress value. The user also sets testing time typically at 15 minutes. Tests are completed when the sample yields (flows), which is noted by a sharp decrease in sample viscosity as observed as the software plots the experimental data as the test is conducted. Yield stress values were determined from linear plots of the viscosity versus strain. The first data point after the peak of the curve is the yield value. Alternatively, lines can be fit to the linear portions of the curve before and after the peak. The intersection of the line will give the yield value. Yield stress can also be determined from semi-logarithmic plots of the viscosity (Pa-s) against stress (Pa). The yield value is the first data point for stress after the linear portion of the curve at lower stress values. The yield stress values here are to be understood as a critical yield stress value or the value of the stress where the material begins to flow.

Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)—Skin Deposition Measurements

SPME analysis was used to measure perfume substantivity on skin that had been washed with the shower liquid products. This was done by allowing an adsorbent fiber to collect vapors from an isolated portion of skin that had been washed with soap, and then analyzing the collected oil on the fiber using capillary gas chromatography. The glass headspace-sampling vessel was made by adapting a glass funnel with a standard GC sample vial and was manufactured by Lab Glass (Vineland, N.J.). The HS-sampling vessel is placed on the arm and secured with the elastic band. Headspace samples were taken using a Supelco custom SPME fiber (2.0 cm long, StableFlex fiber (23-gauge needle), green notched hub, 50/30 μm divinylbenzene/carboxen on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)). The SPME fiber was inserted through the septum at the top of the glass cell until the fiber is just above the surface of the skin without touching. The panelist was required to wear the glass cell for 30 minutes while the perfume vapors are adsorbed on to the fiber. The fiber was then retracted into the protective casing and was removed from the glass cell. This fiber containing the adsorbed sample from above the skin should be injected directly into a Hewlett Packard capillary column flame ionization detection GC/FID. The chromatograph used was an Agilent Model 5890 with FID Detection and the column was an Agilent Model 19091J-012 (5% Phenylmethylsiloxane, 25 m×0.32 mm ID with 0.17 μm film thickness).

Sensory Evaluation

The perceived perfume impact over the shower gels and on the skin after wash was evaluated by trained perfume sensory panel using the magnitude estimation scaling technique. Each panelist was asked to smell a sample of the PW liquid product or a certain area of the arm that had been washed with the product and then to rate the fragrance intensity relative to a standard. All product scores were divided by the standard and given a magnitude estimation score. Then the panelists' scores were averaged for each product/arm.

Examples 1 and 2 and Comparatives A to C

This example is to highlight the advantage of structuring the benefit agent and of the order of addition of structurant and benefits agent.

Shower formulations were prepared having various compositions. A composition without benefit agent (sunflower seed oil) being structured (Comparative A) was prepared at room temperature by mixing 20% w/w of sunflower seed oil with 80% aqueous surfactant phase (comprising water and surfactants) using an overhead mechanical mixer equipped with a high efficiency stirrer and stirring at 250 rpm.

Comparative A composition is set forth below:

Comparative A (Control, Skin Cleanser Base)

Component % wt. Sodium Laureth Sulphate 13.0 Cocamidopropyl Betaine  7.0 Sunflower Seed Oil (unstructured) 20.0 Di Water To 100.0 Ph = 6.0-7.0

Examples 1 and 2 were prepared by mixing 25% w/w of a structured benefit agent oil (comprising 5% w/w of a structurant such as petrolatum or ultraflex or amber wax; and 20% w/w sunflower seed oil) to the aqueous surfactant phase. For these formulations, the structured oil was prepared by addition of the structurant to the sunflower seed oil, heating the mixture to a temperature above the melting point of the structurant and mixing until uniform. The molten structured oil was only then combined with (e.g., added to) the aqueous surfactant phase which was maintained at the same temperature as the structured oil. After mixing for 15 minutes, the formulation was cooled to room temperature. The structurant must be, and was, added to the oil phase prior to dispersion of the structured oil phase into the aqueous surfactant phase.

An example of the composition of the invention is set forth below as Example 1.

Example 1 Invention, Cleanser+5% Petrolatum

Component % Wt. Sodium Laureth Sulphate 13.0 Cocamidopropyl Betaine  7.0 Petrolatum (Structurant)  5.0 Sunflower Seed Oil 20.0 Di Water To 100.0

Example 2 (Invention, Cleanser+5% microcrystalline wax) was prepared in the same way as Example 1 except the structurant was microcrystalline wax. That is, the example comprises the same formulation as Example 1, except 5.0% petrolatum is replaced by 5.0% Ultraflex® amber wax.

Comparative B (Comparative, Cleanser+5% petrolatum) comprises the same formulation as Example 1, including use of 5% petrolatum structurant. It differs from Example 1 only in that the 5% petrolatum and the sunflower seed oil were added separately to the surfactants.

Comparative C (Comparative, Cleanser+5% microcrystalline wax) comprises the same formulation as Example 2 and differs only in that the 5 wt. % ultraflex amber wax and sunflower seed oil were added separately to the surfactants.

Table 1 below sets forth the deposition results for each of the compositions:

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition from Formulations with Structured Oils

TABLE 1 Formulation Deposition, μg/cm² Comparative A (no structurant)  0 Example 1 158 Comparative B (separate addition of oil and  34 structurant) Example 2 980 Comparative C (separate addition)  49

As seen from Table 1, the importance of the order of addition of the components to create the structured oil is demonstrated by comparing oil deposition from Examples 1 and 2 with formulations prepared from the same components but differing processing conditions. Comparatives B and C were prepared by the separate addition of structurant and sunflower seed oil to the aqueous surfactant phase. For these formulations, 5% w/w of structurant, 20% w/w sunflower seed oil and 75% of aqueous surfactant phase were heated in separate vessels to the same temperature which is above the melting point of the structurant. The sunflower seed oil was added to the aqueous surfactant phase and mixed with an overhead stirrer as described above. The structurant was then added separately to the mixture and the entire formulation was mixed for 15 minutes. After mixing, the formulation was cooled to room temperature.

As seen clearly, Comparative B & C (separate addition) have far less deposition.

Example 3 to 5 and Comparative D

A liquid cleanser with the composition shown in Comparative A plus the addition of an oil phase structurant was used to prepare Examples 3-5 and Comparative D

Example 3 (Invention, Cleanser+5% paraffin wax) comprises the same formulation as Example 1 except that is uses 5% paraffin as structurant instead of 5% petrolatum. It is prepared as per the invention, i.e., structurant and oil mixed before addition to surfactant phase.

Example 4 (Invention, Cleanser+5% animal wax) comprises same formulation as Example 1 except that it uses 5 wt. % beeswax as structurant instead of 5% by wt. petrolatum. Again, structurant and oil are combined before combining with surfactant phase.

Example 5 (Invention, Cleanser+2.5% petrolatum+2.5% microcrystalline wax) comprise same formulation as Example 1 except it uses 2.5 wt.% petrolatum and 2.5 wt. % ultraflex amber wax (microcrystalline wax) instead of 5% by wt. petrolatum. Again structurant and oil are combined separately from combination with surfactant phase.

The following comparative was also prepared.

Comparative D (Comparative, Cleanser+10% polymer thickener, which is AquaPel 15, a linear copolymer of butadiene/isoprene) uses a non-crystalline linear polymer used as a benefit agent (oil) structurant.

Component % Wt. Sodium Laureth Sulphate 13.0 Cocamidopropyl Betaine  7.0 AquaPel 15L (copolymer of butadiene/isoprene) 10.0 Sunflower Seed Oil 15.0 Di Water To 100.0

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition from Liquid Formulations with Structured Oils

TABLE 2 Formulation Deposition, μg/cm² Comparative A (Sunflower Oil only)*  0 Example 2 (ultraflex amber wax)* 980 Example 3 (paraffin wax) 649 Example 4 (beeswax) 245 Example 5 (petrolatum + ultraflex wax) 865 Comparative D (AquaPel 15L)  51 *From previous Table 1

As seen only crystalline wax structurants (2-5) yield sunflower seed oil deposition of 60 μg/cm² or greater. Comparative D, using a non crystalline material, fails to yield these results.

Examples 6-10

In order to show that structuring works with variety of crystalline waxes at small droplet sizes averaging 4.9-6.2 μm diameter) applicants prepared the following liquid cleanser examples in accordance with the process if the invention (i.e., benefit agent sunflower seed oil and structurant were first combined)

Example 6 Invention, Cleanser+5% Microcrystalline Wax

95 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Victory amber wax

Example 7 Invention, Cleanser+5% Microcrystalline Wax

95 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Multiwax ML-445

Example 8 Invention, Cleanser+5% Microcrystalline Wax

95 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Multiwax 180-M

Example 9 Invention, Cleanser+5% Microcrystalline Wax

95 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Multiwax W-835

Example 10 Invention, Cleanser+2.5% Microcrystalline Wax

97.5 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

2.5 wt. % Mekon white

Structured benefit agent droplet size and deposition results are set forth in Table 3 below:

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition from Liquid Cleanser Formulations with Structured Oils

TABLE 3 Average Droplet Deposition, Formulation Diameter, μm μg/cm² Example 6 (Victory amber wax) 6.2 876 Example 7 (Multiwax ML-445) 6.2 852 Example 8 (Multiwax 180-M) 4.9 893 Example 9 (MultiwaxW-835) 5.9 793 Example 10 (Mekon white) 4.9 309

As seen from Table 3, deposition was excellent over wide range of waxes, and with average droplet sizes much lower than that suggested for best deposition of hydrophobic benefit agent by U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,608, which suggests that droplets have average diameter larger than 200 μm; U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,293, which suggests droplets larger than 500 μm, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,189, which suggests droplets from 50-500 μm.

Examples 11-19

In order to show that benefit agent oils can be structured using varying amounts of structurants (e.g., 0.5% to 16.0%) and that level of deposition can be manipulated by amount of structurant, applicants prepared the following liquid cleanser examples

Example 11 Invention, Cleanser+0.5% Microcrystalline Wax

99.5 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

0.5 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 12 Invention, Cleanser+1.0% Microcrystalline Wax

99.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

1.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 13 Invention, Cleanser+2.0% Microcrystalline Wax

98.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

2.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 14 Invention, Cleanser+4.0% Microcrystalline Wax

96.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

4.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 15 Invention, Cleanser+2.0% Microcrystalline Wax

94.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

6.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 16 Invention, Cleanser+8.0% Microcrystalline Wax

92.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

8.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 17 Invention, Cleanser+10.0% Microcrystalline Wax

90.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

10.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 18 Invention, Cleanser+12.0% Microcrystalline Wax

88.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

12.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Example 19 Invention, Cleanser+16.0% Microcrystalline Wax

84.0 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

16.0 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

Deposition results for the various compositions are set forth below:

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition from Formulations with Structured Oils

TABLE 5 Example Deposition, μg/cm² 11 (0.5% Ultraflex amber wax) 65 12 (1% Ultraflex amber wax) 213 13 (2% Ultraflex amber wax) 320 14 (4% Ultraflex amber wax) 727  2 (5% Ultraflex amber wax) 980 15 (6% Ultraflex amber wax 1022 16 (8% Ultraflex amber wax) 1178 17 (10% Ultraflex amber wax) 1328 18 (12% Ultraflex amber wax) 1080 19 (16% Ultraflex amber wax) 1076

As seen from Table 5, small or large amounts of structurant can be used although, as seen from the increasing deposition, as the amount of structurant increases, the level of structurant can be used to control deposition.

The wax content is measured as percent of overall composition. That is, for example, Example 12 combines 1% microcrystalline wax with 20% sunflower seed oil in a premix which, when in molten state, is then combined with the rest of the composition (of Comparative A).

Examples 20-21 Comparative E

In order to show that deposition will occur with or without a further aid to deposition (i.e., cationic polymer), applicants made the following examples:

Example 20 Invention, Cleanser+5.0% Microcrystalline Wax+1.0% Polymer

94 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Ultraflex amber wax

1 wt. % Jaguar polymer

Example 21 Invention, Cleanser+5.0% Microcrystalline Wax+1.0% Polymer

94 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

5 wt. % Victory amber wax

1 wt. % Jaguar polymer

Comparative E

Cleanser+1.0% Polymer

99 wt % liquid cleanser of Comparative A

1 wt. % Jaguar polymer

Results of deposition are set forth in Table 6 below:

Sunflower Seed Oil Deposition from Formulations with Structured Oils

TABLE 6 Deposition, Example μg/cm² Example 2 (5% ultraflex amber wax)* 980 Example 20 (5% ultraflex amber wax, 1% 473 JaguarC13s) Example 6 (5% Victory Amber wax)** 876 Example 21 (5% victory amber wax, 1% 388 Jaguar C13s) Comparative A (no benefit agent structurant) 0 Comparative E (no benefit agent structurant, 44 1% Jaguar C13s) *From Table 1 **From Table 3

As seen from results in Table 6, deposition occurs even without use of cationic polymer deposition aid.

Example 22 and Comparatives F & G

To measure the effects of enhanced perfume delivery and subsequent impact, three products were tested for perfume impact after washing on human forearms. Comparative F is a simple sodium lauryl ether sulfate/cocoamidopropyl betaine SLES/CAPB formulation (12%/3% of the anionic to zwitterionic) 1% NaCl. This is a standard formulation with no oil-carrier system for the perfume. Comparative G was the Liquid Cleanser described in Comparative Example A which is a cleanser with unstructured oil as the perfume carrier system and Example 22 was identical to that described in Example 2 which contains 5% crystalline wax as the oil carrier structurant with 0.5% Jaguar polymer. The same perfume was used in all formulations. In all cases, it was dosed into the formulations at 1% and was premixed with the oil carrier (structured or unstructured). The SPME was used to measure the release of fragrance from the skin for 30 minutes after the wash. The results are shown in Table 7 as the total GC area for all of the perfume peaks measured. The experiment clearly indicates a much higher deposition of fragrance from Example 22 containing the wax structured oil. In fact, compared to the formulation containing non-structured oil carrier (Comparative G) and the formulation without an oil carrier (Comparative F), the impact increases about 5-6 times.

TABLE 7 Fragrance Deposition/Impact Total Perfume Measured over Skin after Wash (Total GC Area) Comparative F 6200 Comparative G 8500 Example 22 38500

Example 22 & Comparative G Sensory Panel Assessment

To determine whether the increase in measured fragrance release from skin is actually perceivable by humans, a trained sensory panel was used to evaluate and measure the fragrance intensity over arms washed with these products. In this study, the two products compared were Comparative G (unstructured oil carrier) and Example 22 (wax-structured oil carrier) formulations. This study would provide information on whether a 5-6 increase in fragrance impact is perceivable by the human nose. In this study panelists were washed with both products so a direct comparison of the products could be assessed without having to take into account the differences in fragrance properties in the individual people (different deposition, different fragrance smell and different background odors). This will allow a comparison of the product performance regardless of the characteristics of the individual being washed. The results are shown in Table 8 and the sensory responses were noted comparing both products for each individual washed at different time points.

TABLE 8 Sensory Panel Results for Example 22 & Comparative G Time after Comparative G Example 22 Wash (min.) (Ave. Sensory Score) (Ave. Sensory Score) Panelist 1 5 0.82 1.48 60 0.61 1.15 Panelist 2 5 0.81 1.31 60 0.42 1.11 Panelist 3 5 0.56 1.21 60 0.40 0.73 Panelist 4 60 0.60 0.81 120 0.51 0.82 Panelist 5 60 0.62 0.40 120 0.26 0.38 Panelist 6 60 0.83 1.0 120 0.82 1.1

The results in Table 8 represent the average scores for the panel for each washed arm, 5 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes after the wash. Each person was washed with both products and one set of panelists were evaluated 5 and 60 minutes after wash and one set 609 and 120 minutes after wash and results are represented accordingly. As is quite evident from the results, the fragrance impact from skin washed with the skin cleansing product formulated with the wax-structured oil (Example 22) was perceived greater than that washed with the formulation with unstructured oil (Comparative G). This higher impact was perceived on almost all washes at all time points, but was most significant at 5 and 60 minutes after the wash. The sensory panel results correspond well with the analytical measurements

Example 23

A shower liquid was prepared with a low level of oil carrier in the product again to test deposition of hydrophobic benefit agent, perfume. The formulation of the product (Example 23) is shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Structured Oil Carrier Formulation of Example 23 Percent in Ingredient Trade Name Formulation SLES 2EO Steol CS-230 12.0 Acrylate Polymer Carbopol 2020 1.0 Sunflower Oil Sunflower 3.0 Wax Victory Amber Wax 1.0 Perfume JK-145 1.0 Water Water 82.00

The results of the SPME fragrance impact measurements are shown in Table 10. Again the data represent the total GC area count for all the perfume components that were detected in the measurement. The low oil product (Example 23) results are compared to the standard SLES/CAPB formulation with no oil (Comparative F) and the SLES/CAPB formulations with 20% unstructured (Comparative G) and 20% wax structured oils (Example 22).

TABLE 10 Perfume Deposition/Impact Measurements Total Perfume Measured over Skin after Wash (Total GC Area) Comparative F* 6200 Comparative G* 8500 Example 22* 38500 Example 23 34500 *From Table 7

As the results in Table 10 indicate, the low levels of structured oils in the formulations all gave measurable improvements over both the SLES/CAPB standard and the formulation with unstructured oil. This correlates well with the oil deposition data. And even though much less oil would be expected to be deposited with only 3% wax structured oil, compared to 20% wax structured oil, the higher perfume concentration in the oil matrix deposited on the skin will provide a higher fragrance activity and hence a greater fragrance impact over the skin as the SPME measurements show.

Examples 24 & 25 and Comparative H

The addition of low levels of structured oils as hydrophobic benefit agent carriers was tested in a standard commercial shower liquid formulation. Again, the structured benefit agent oil and fragrance (SHBA) were premixed and then added to the surfactant containing shower liquid. The standard formulations are shown in Table 11 below which has a 7% formulation hole for the addition of the structured oil carrier, hydrophobic benefit agent (perfume) and the base for final rheology adjustments.

TABLE 11 Formulations for Examples 24 & 23 and Comparative H % Active Trade Name Material IUPAC Name in Batch DI water Water To 93% POLYMER EX 518 ACRYLATE COPOLYMER 1.5% VERSENE 100XL TETRASODIUM EDTA 0.020 PREMIX UVINAL MS-40 BENZOPHENONE-4 0.100 DI water Water 0.500 PREMIX POLYMER JR400 POLYQUATERNIUM-10 0.100 Glycerin USP Glycerin USP 0.500 ALMEO BLEND* 9.000 Tegobetaine F Cocamidopropyl betaine 0.800 DEQUEST 2010 ETRIDONIC ACID 0.020 Kathon CG Methylchloroisothiazolinone 0.0003 Methylisothiazolinone MEARLMAID PLN QUANINE MIXTURE 0.001 *Blend Comprising: 52% Ammonium lauryl sulfate/ammonium laureth (1 EO) sulfate, 5% Cocoamide MEA, about 2.5%, PEG-5 cocoamide, and less than 2% each of unsulfated alcohol ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride.

In total, three formulations (Examples 24 & 25 and Comparative H) were prepared including a standard shower liquid without any oil carrier system. The 7% hole in the above formulation was filled as shown in Table 9. The structured benefit agent was 4:1 mixture of sunflower seed oil to victory amber wax structurant.

TABLE 12 Ingredient Comparative H Example 24 Example 25 Perfume 1% 1% 1% (Waterfresh Breeze) Sunflower Oil/Wax (4:1) 3% 3% Diluted NaOH To pH 7 to pH 7 to pH 7 Water ~6%   ~3%   ~3%  

In all formulations, the perfume (SHBA) was premixed with the structured oil carrier and then added to the surfactant base. The extra water was added and the formulation pH was brought to 7 to finish the process. The differences between Examples 24 and 25 is that in Example 24, the structured oil/perfume premix was added to the surfactant formulation at room temperature and in Example 25 the premix was added molten (surfactant base and premix were at ˜80° C.) and after premix addition, the formulation was cooled to room temperature for pH adjustment. Human arms were washed with all four formulations and SPME measurements were used to determine the perfume impact from the skin after wash. The experiments were run in duplicate on the same person. The results are shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 Perfume Delivery for Examples 24 and 25 and Comparative H Total Perfume Measured over Skin after Wash (Total GC Area-Ave.) Comparative H 4050 Example 24 6900 Example 25 13000

As is clear from the data in Table 13, the structured oil carrier is effective at delivering more of the hydrophobic benefit agent (perfume) to the skin. The best formulation is Example 25, which uses a crystalline structured oil carrier at low levels (3%) in the formulation. Even at very low levels, the oil carrier system provides distinct benefit delivery enhancements. For perfume this is especially true since the release of perfume will be directly correlated to the percent of perfume in the oil carrier (the higher the concentration of perfume in the structured oil carrier, the greater the release from that carrier system).

Example 26 and Comparative I

A soap bar was prepared with a low level of oil carrier in the product again to test deposition of hydrophobic benefit agent, perfume. The formulations of Example 26 and the standard soap bar (Comparative I) are shown in Table 14.

TABLE 14 Soap Bars Formulations of Example 26 and Comparative I Example Comparative Ingredient Trade Name 26 I 85:15 Tallow/Coconut Soap 81.4 84.4 Soap EDTA/EDHT Versene 0.03 0.03 Sunflower Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil 2.4 0.0 Wax Victory Amber Wax 0.6 0.0 Perfume Morning Dew 1.0 1.0 Water Water 14.0 14.0

The results of the SPME fragrance impact measurements are shown in Table 15. Again the data represent the total GC area count for all the perfume components that were detected in the measurement. The low oil product (Example 26) results are compared to the standard soap formulation with no oil (Comparative I).

TABLE 15 Perfume Deposition/Impact Measurements Total Perfume Measured over Skin After Wash (Total GC Area) Example 26 2860 Comparative I 1440

As the results in Table 15 indicate, the low levels of structured oils in the formulations gave measurable improvements in fragrance impact from the washed skin compared to the soap standard. Even with low levels of oil in a typical extruded soap bar, the structured oil provided a significant benefit to delivery of perfume. 

1. Personal liquid wash composition comprising (1) 1 to 99% by wt. of a surfactant material selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof; and (2) 0.1 to 90% of structured benefit agent composition consisting essentially of: (a) 50.0 to 99.9% by wt. of structured benefit agent composition of one or more benefit agents wherein said benefit agent is a fat or oil selected from the group consisting of natural fats and oils; cocao fat; beef tallow; lard; hardened oil obtained by hydrogenating said oil; synthetic, mono-, di- and triglycerides, and mixtures thereof (b) 0.1 to 50.0% of structured benefit agent of structuring material selected from the group consisting of crystalline structurant selected from the group consisting of natural crystalline wax, synthetic crystalline waxes, and mixtures thereof, wherein the crystal in said crystalline structuring material has an aspect ratio defined by A/B>1, the length A being understood as the longer of the two dimensions when considering length and width, B; and (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent, wherein said benefit agent is a fragrance molecule; wherein, when said structured benefit agent composition is separately formed and separately combined with said surfactant material in which the structured benefit agent composition will be used to deliver said benefit agent to a substrate there is provided enhanced benefit of the separate hydrophobic fragrance molecule benefit agent of at least 5% relative to the effect provided by the same separate hydrophobic benefit agent in the absence of structured benefit agent in the final composition.
 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said benefit agent is sunflower seed oil.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said structuring material of 2(b) is natural crystalline wax and said natural crystalline wax is selected from the group consisting of mineral waxes, petroleum based waxes, plant or vegetable waxes, animal waxes and mixtures thereof.
 4. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said petroleum based wax is paraffin or microcrystalline wax.
 5. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said structuring material of 2(b) is synthetic crystalline wax and said synthetic crystalline wax is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polymethylene, a chemically modified wax, polymerized α-olefins and synthetic animal waxes and mixtures thereof.
 6. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said structured benefit agent carrier composition is formed by combining benefit agent, and crystalline structurant at temperatures above melting point of structurant to form a molten solution prior to cooling or to combining said molten solution with said surfactant material.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein a large droplet is not required for high deposition.
 8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein said droplet weight average diameter is less than 500 μm.
 9. A composition according to claim 1 comprising 1 to 75% surfactant.
 10. A process for forming a personal liquid product composition comprising: (1) 1 to 99% surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof; and (2) a structured benefit agent composition consisting essentially of: (c) 50.0 to 99.9% by wt. of oil carrier composition of one or more benefit agents wherein said benefit agent is a fat or oil selected from the group consisting of natural fats and oils; cocao fat; beef tallow; lard; hardened oil obtained by hydrogenating said oil; synthetic mono-, di- and triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, with 50.0 to 0.1% structuring material selected from the group consisting of crystalline structurant selected from the group consisting of natural crystalline wax, synthetic crystalline waxes, and mixtures thereof, and (3) separate hydrophobic benefit agent, wherein said benefit agent is a fragrance molecule wherein the crystal in said crystalline structuring material has an aspect ratio defined by A/B>1, the length A being understood as the longer of the two dimensions when considering length and width, B; and wherein, when said structured benefit agent composition is separately formed and separately combined with said surfactant material in which the structured benefit agent composition will be used to deliver said benefit agent to a substrate there is provided enhanced benefit of the separate hydrophobic fragrance molecule benefit agent of at least 5% relative to the effect provided by the same separate hydrophobic benefit agent in the absence of structured benefit agent in the final composition. 